Red Sox Rotation Preview: Two New Stars Poised to Lead

The Boston Red Sox just wrapped up a postseason run, but they’re not about to settle for the same rotation in 2025. Garrett Crochet stepped up as the ace last season, and Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow says the team wants pitchers who can handle the top half of the rotation.

Brayan Bello and Lucas Giolito have already shown they can be counted on. Analysts like Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report think Boston will go hard after MacKenzie Gore and Dylan Cease to level up their pitching staff.

Boston’s Rotation: Strong Foundation, Room for Growth

Garrett Crochet was a force last year, anchoring the staff and taking on the league’s best. Bello took some real steps forward as a steady No. 3 starter, while Giolito brought the veteran presence every playoff team needs.

Why the Red Sox Are Targeting Frontline Arms

Even with that core, Boston doesn’t have a clear No. 2 who can go toe-to-toe with Crochet. Breslow’s made it clear: they’re aiming higher than mid-rotation arms and want guys who can handle the spotlight in October.

This focus on top-half rotation talent feels like a win-now move. It’s a signal that Boston isn’t interested in waiting around.

MacKenzie Gore: An All-Star with High Upside

MacKenzie Gore broke out with an All-Star season, putting up a 4.17 ERA over 30 starts. That stat doesn’t really capture his full year, though.

Gore dominated in the first half with a 3.02 ERA before he seemed to run out of gas late. He was one of the most effective starters in baseball for months.

The Value Gore Adds

Adding Gore would give Boston a young, controllable pitcher who’s already shown he can handle big-league hitters. He misses bats and keeps things under control early, which feels like a perfect fit for the No. 2 spot in the rotation.

Dylan Cease: Strikeout King and Proven Workhorse

Dylan Cease didn’t quite hit his Cy Young runner-up level in 2024, finishing with a 4.55 ERA. Still, his strikeout numbers are just wild.

Since 2022, Cease leads all of baseball in strikeouts. He’s made at least 30 starts five years in a row, which says a lot about his durability and stuff.

Cease’s Postseason Potential

Sure, his ERA bounces around, but Cease brings ace-level strikeout ability and a heavy workload. Pairing him with Crochet could give Boston one of the toughest one-two combos in the American League when October rolls around.

Projected Rotation Depth Chart

If Boston somehow lands both Gore and Cease, the rotation could be the envy of the league. Here’s how it might shake out:

• Garrett Crochet – Left-handed ace with elite command
• Dylan Cease – Strikeout leader and durable workhorse
• MacKenzie Gore – Young All-Star with upside
• Brayan Bello – Emerging right-hander with consistent control
• Lucas Giolito or Connelly Early – Dependable veteran or rising rookie

Surplus Depth Could Shift Roles

With this much starting talent, Boston could move one or two arms into the bullpen. That’d give them multi-inning relief options and a backup plan for injuries, making the team a lot more flexible over the grind of a long season.

The Road Ahead

Chasing Gore and Cease would be a bold, aggressive play by Breslow and the front office. These days, teams need elite pitching to go deep in October, and Boston seems ready to stack up with the best.

Final Thoughts

With Crochet, Bello, and maybe even Giolito already lined up, adding Gore and Cease could really shake things up for the Red Sox. Suddenly, Boston might not just make the playoffs—they could actually chase a World Series run.

The next few months are going to matter a lot. If the Sox pull off these moves, Fenway fans could be watching one of the strongest rotations this team has ever had next season.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Red Sox Projected Rotation Features Two New Stars